Method and apparatus for delivery of fresh produce

ABSTRACT

A packing device comprising a first carton having a plurality of cut outs in the shape of fruit; and a second carton having a plurality of oval indentations, said second carton placed on said first carton with said plurality of oval indentations aligned over said plurality of cut outs.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This invention relates generally to packaging of produce.

2. The Prior Art

Currently, gourmet fresh produce is shipped by refrigerating theproduce. The refrigeration of the produce causes condensation on theproduce which promotes rotting and other types of degradation to theproduce. The method herein described eliminates the need to refrigeratethe produce and allows for longer shipping times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a box insert for the delivery of produce;

FIG. 2 is the bottom carton of the box insert;

FIG. 3 is the top carton of the box insert;

FIG. 4 is the bottom carton of the box insert formed to shape anAmerican flag;

FIG. 5 is the bottom carton of the box insert formed to shape anAmerican flag of strawberries and blueberries;

FIG. 6 is the bottom carton of the box insert formed to shape anAmerican flag of cherries and blueberries; and

FIG. 7 is the bottom carton of the box insert formed to shape a heart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the followingdescription is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Othermodifications and improvements will readily suggest themselves to suchskilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. In the followingdescription, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a box insert 2 for the delivery of produce. The box insert 2is comprised of a bottom carton 4 and a top carton 6. The cartons 4, 6may be manufactured from any material which will absorb an impactwithout damaging the fruit stored within the box insert 2.Alternatively, the bottom carton 4 maybe manufactured without the ovalindentations. Such materials include but are not limited to foam andplastic. The bottom carton 4 has a plurality of oval indentations 8 andridges 9 which run the length of the bottom carton 4 and parallel to theother oval indentations 8. The top carton 6 has a plurality of ovalindentations 10 and ridges 12 which run the length of the top carton 4and parallel to the other oval indentations 10. When the bottom carton 4and the top carton 6 are placed together, the oval indentations 8 andridges 9 of the bottom carton 4 and the oval indentations 10 and ridges12 of the top carton 6 compliment each other.

FIG. 2 is the bottom carton 4 of the box insert. The bottom carton has aplurality of seats 16 which are used to hold produce snugly withoutapplying excessive pressure. The seats 16 maybe created to go throughthe entire carton or only partially. Additionally, oval indentations 12maybe formed in the carton to further minimize the pressure on theproduce. The oval indentations 12 are separated by ridges 8. The ridges8 are used to support the top carton and prevent damage to the produce.In this embodiment, the carton is cut to hold strawberries. In otherembodiments, the carton may be cut to hold cherries or any otherproduce.

FIG. 3 is the top carton 6 of the box insert. The oval indentations 10and ridges 14 can be seen to run the length of the top carton 6. Theoval indentations 10 provide a gap to minimize the pressure on theproduce while maintaining it in the correct position.

FIG. 4 is the bottom carton 4 of the box insert 2 formed to resemble anAmerican flag. The bottom carton 4 is cut to remove a rectangularportion in the upper left corner 18 to give a stylized appearance of anAmerican flag.

FIG. 5 is the bottom carton 4 of the box insert 2 formed to resemble toan American flag made from a plurality of strawberries 20 and a clearbox of blueberries 22 stylized with a plurality of stars 25. This designis then mounted within a shipping crate

FIG. 6 is the bottom carton 4 of the box insert 2 formed to resemble toan American flag made from a plurality of cherries 26 and a clear box ofblueberries 22 stylized with a plurality of stars 25. This design isthen mounted within a shipping crate 24

FIG. 7 is a bottom carton of the box insert formed to a heart 28 insidea shipping crate 24. The excess space within the shipping crate 24 isfilled with packing material 30. Further, a plurality of seats 32 arecreated to hold produce 34. In further embodiments, a heart shaped seats36 maybe created to hold an item 38. The item 38 maybe a dipping saucefor the produce or any other item the packer may desire.

While embodiments and applications of this disclosure have been shownand described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art thatmany more modifications and improvements than mentioned above arepossible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Thedisclosure, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the . spirit ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packing device comprising: a first cartonhaving a plurality of cut outs in the shape of fruit; and a secondcarton having a plurality of oval indentations, said second cartonplaced on said first carton with said plurality of oval indentationsaligned over said plurality of cut outs.
 2. The packing device of claim1 wherein said first carton further comprises a plurality of ovalindentations aligned with said plurality of cut outs.
 3. The packingdevice of claim 2 wherein said plurality of cut outs are in the shape ofa fruit.
 4. The packing device of claim 3 wherein said fruit is astrawberry.
 5. The packing device of claim 3 wherein said fruit is acherry.
 6. The packing device of claim 2 wherein said first carton has aleft end, a right end, a top end and a bottom end and proximate to saidleft end and said top end a rectangle shaped portion is removed.
 7. Thepacking device of claim 6 further including a rectangular package ofblueberries proximate to said left end and said top end.
 8. The packingdevice of claim 7 wherein said plurality of cut outs are in the shape ofa fruit.
 9. The packing device of claim 8 wherein said fruit is astrawberry.
 10. The packing device of claim 3 wherein said fruit is acherry.
 11. The packing device of claim 2 wherein said first carton andsaid second carton are formed in the shape of a heart.
 12. The packingdevice of claim 11 wherein said plurality of cut outs are in the shapeof a fruit.
 13. The packing device of claim 12 wherein said fruit is astrawberry.
 14. The packing device of claim 12 wherein said fruit is acherry.
 15. The packing device of claim 12 wherein said first cartonfurther includes a midpoint and a heart shaped seats proximate to saidmidpoint.
 16. The packing device of claim 15 further including a dippingsauce within said heart shaped seats.
 17. A method for shipping freshfruit for shipment comprising: providing a bottom carton having aplurality of fruit shaped seats; picking a plurality of fruit; placingsaid plurality of fruit in each of said carton plurality of fruit shapedseats; placing a top carton having a plurality of oval indentationsaligned with said plurality of fruit shaped seats on said bottom carton;and shipping said carton at ambient temperature.